Corrosion behavior of tantalum-coated cobalt-chromium modular necks compared to titanium modular necks in a simulator test.

Corrosion behavior of tantalum-coated cobalt-chromium modular necks compared to titanium modular necks in a simulator test.

The Journal of arthroplasty (2013-10-09)

Ulrich Dorn, Daniel Neumann, Mario Frank

ABSTRACT

This study compared the corrosion behavior of tantalum-coated cobalt-chromium modular necks with that of titanium alloy modular necks at their junction to titanium-alloy femoral stem. Tests were performed in a dry assembly and two wet assemblies, one contaminated with calf serum and the other contaminated with calf serum and bone particles. Whereas the titanium modular neck tested in the dry assembly showed no signs of corrosion, the titanium modular necks tested in both wet assemblies showed marked depositions and corrosive attacks. By contrast, the tantalum-coated cobalt-chromium modular necks showed no traces of corrosion or chemical attack in any of the three assemblies. This study confirms the protective effect of tantalum coating the taper region of cobalt-chromium modular neck components, suggesting that the use of tantalum may reduce the risk of implant failure due to corrosion.

MATERIALS

Product Number

Brand

Product Description

357243

Sigma-Aldrich

Tantalum, foil, thickness 0.05 mm, ≥99.9% trace metals basis

GF12000452

Tantalum, wire reel, 5m, diameter 0.25mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF65833779

Tantalum, wire reel, 1m, diameter 0.8mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF29028405

Tantalum, rod, 100mm, diameter 10.0mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF84004231

Tantalum, tube, 100mm, outside diameter 7.0mm, inside diameter 6.7mm, wall thickness 0.15mm, as drawn, 99.9%

GF72208975

Tantalum, wire reel, 2m, diameter 0.8mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF89056648

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 100x100mm, thickness 0.003mm, 99.9%

GF28826152

Tantalum, rod, 50mm, diameter 18mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF64866202

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 82x100mm, thickness 0.006mm, 99.9%

GF04218432

Tantalum, wire reel, 5m, diameter 0.30mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF97180870

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 50x50mm, thickness 0.01mm, 99.9%

GF42703332

Tantalum, rod, 200mm, diameter 1.5mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF83507238

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 100x100mm, thickness 0.03mm, as rolled, 99.9%

GF50730106

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 50x50mm, thickness 0.003mm, 99.9%

GF91998253

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 100x100mm, thickness 0.025mm, as rolled, 99.9%

GF53850371

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.003mm, 99.9%

GF33704142

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 100x100mm, thickness 0.009mm, 99.9%

GF02019956

Tantalum, mesh, 40x40mm, nominal aperture 0.43mm, wire diameter 0.075mm, 50x50 wires/inch, open area 72%, plain weave mesh

GF26536057

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.004mm, 99.9%

GF69076839

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 50x50mm, thickness 0.034mm, as rolled, 99.9%

GF42443984

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 100x100mm, thickness 0.01mm, 99.9%

GF11923589

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.006mm, 99.9%

GF19254472

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.0005mm, 99.9%

GF24352028

Tantalum, rod, 100mm, diameter 6.35mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF93289090

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.004mm, 99.9%

GF98156144

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.0015mm, 99.9%

GF42889517

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 150x300mm, thickness 0.075mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF84327510

Tantalum, foil, not light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.01mm, 99.9%

GF15979494

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 50x50mm, thickness 0.075mm, annealed, 99.9%

GF55545149

Tantalum, foil, light tested, 25x25mm, thickness 0.02mm, 99.9%